Mark Fields, Ford’s president of American operations, announced at a Center for Automotive Research meeting that Ford will begin eliminating gas caps on all production vehicles. No it is not some bizzare strategy to save on fuel costs, but rather an engineering and design upgrade. The tried and true twist off gas cap design will be replaced with a “capless fuel filler “. This first appeared in 2005 on the GT supercar but will go mainstream beginning with the 2008 Lincoln MKS sedan.
The idea has practicality in addition to elegance. It is said to eliminate the potential of losing the gas cap, but also offer a more secure seal and prevent fume emmisions into the environment. When the nozzle of a conventional gas pump is put into the fuel filler point, it pushes on two tabs that open a spring-loaded metal flap. That allows the pump to sit in the tube that delivers gas to the tank, just as a pump does after the cap is unscrewed. After the nozzle is removed, the spring-loaded door seals the pathway shut.
Apparantly Ford’s marketing research has shown that people of all ages and drivers of all makes and models dislike touching their fuel cap and the potential of gasoline smell on their hands. It also eliminates the hand pain for arthritis sufferers.
Ford may likely be the first auto-maker to put this technology on all production vehicles in the near future.
Personally, with the rising cost of gas, this is a stupid idea.
By STL. March 26th, 2007 at 6:01 pmI plan on getting a locking gas cap for my ‘07 Mustang.
Why on Earth would I want a Pushrod engine, SOHC 427’s didn’t have pushrods..lol . Ask Ohio George Montgomery if he wants a old pushrod engine.
By VictourB. December 5th, 2006 at 6:56 amFord already made an optional Gas Cap on 1968 Mustangs that didnt unscrew ! It had a tab/lever you just fliped up and the door with the cap set inside just swung down . ? Did they forget they already made 1 ?? They should just check thier own archives . Also the New Mustangs Gas Cap with the trunk key in it looks so crappy . Couldnt they have hidden it behind a flipping door or set it off to the side ? That little black hole in the top of the Fake Gas Cap really looks crappy . All Fords talk about quality and detail is just that just buld better cars . And remember what you have already made. Duh !
By TedCan. September 23rd, 2006 at 5:04 amfor and there retared way s it why there going down hill stupid thing gas caps work on better cars only thing got is the mustang rest of your stuff kinda sucks and im a ford guy
By ruzz. September 10th, 2006 at 8:23 amYeh like stated below ford should work on building good ol pushrod v8s again….Chevy is and watch out the CAMARO is comiing!!!!
By Chris. September 7th, 2006 at 1:04 pmp0455 codes galore!
By BlueOvalRacing. August 28th, 2006 at 8:28 pmSans gas caps, nice. Now how about building vehicles with pushrod v8s AGAIN like a lot of us WANT BADLY.
By Nick Taylor. August 16th, 2006 at 10:31 pmWith today’s high gas prices, I use a key-locking gas cap. Will that be an option???
By Scotty McTavish. August 15th, 2006 at 5:07 amThis is STUPID! I can’t believe they are actually wasting time and effort on something as trivial as this. I hope they are prepared for lots of service tickets involving water in the fuel. Just a bit of info Ford…it’s pretty tough to LOSE your gas cap when its TETHERED to the vehicle!!!
By Bill M. August 13th, 2006 at 9:38 amWhat about the early ‘Cuda gas caps? They were the flip top. You had to push a little lever on the side, and up pops the cap.
By fastnos. August 11th, 2006 at 11:32 amThere has been an aftermarket gas cap replacement that works like this available for some time, but they are hard to find.
By Neil Gordon. August 11th, 2006 at 11:31 amI think that is just a great idea. I’m surprised someone hadn’t thought of it sooner.
By Mike Pliego. August 10th, 2006 at 7:44 pm